Emer halpenny

Where did it all begin? Well, twenty odd years ago, I worked in a television production company. One day, as I was walking through the office I stopped dead in my tracks; I didn't want to be there anymore. My hobby had taken over. By night I was involved in amateur musicals and though I was no dancer, I found I wasn't walking through the office - I was silently repeating dance steps in my head. 'Wonderful Wonderful Day'! I thought; 'My Secret Love's No Secret Anymore.' I had a choice. I could either go slowly mad, and carry on with the sound of the musicals in my ear, or I could leave. I had been directing musicals for a couple of years when Deirdre Galassi, virtuoso of speech and drama, took me under her wing and made a drama teacher out of me. I thought it might be a good idea to supplement my income by teaching a few kids. How was I to know that I would enjoy it so much? What was supposed to 'get me by' took over, and the Emer Halpenny School of Drama wa﻿s founded. And although I did go on to direct professionally, I continued my teaching studies and became an Associate of the Irish Board of Speech and Drama, and later, a Licentiate of Trinity College London. I studied with directors and actors from all over the world through the Phoenix Contemporary Theatre, and have travelled the length and breadth of Ireland adjudicating in drama festivals, also spending two years as the National Adjudicator for AIMS (the Association of Irish Musical Societies).﻿That day in the office, when I stopped in my tracks and questioned my happiness was a good day. It has brought me here, to a healthy happy school, where teachers and students enjoy the journey drama brings them on.

So now, by day, I am a happy drama teacher; and very early in the morning, before my children have stirred, I write: plays for the students; magazine articles; the book. Ah, the book...will it ever get written? Someday, perhaps all of my dreams will come true... ﻿